AN MP has called for changes to rules governing compensation paid to top police officers after it emerged a crisis-hit chief constable is set for a substantial pay-off when he leaves next year.

Grahame Maxwell, chief constable of North Yorkshire Police, admitted gross misconduct earlier this year after trying to help a relative during a recruitment process.

Mr Maxwell stayed in his post after receiving a final written warning from his employer, North Yorkshire Police Authority.

But he will stand down in the new year after the police authority refused to extend his contract.

The police authority will be liable to make the compensation payment to 50-year-old Mr Maxwell because he is leaving his post – which commands a six-figure salary – before completing 30 years of service, which would enable him to secure his full pension entitlement.

Although the police authority has not revealed the amount Mr Maxwell would be entitled to, it is understood the payment, which is governed by national regulations on payments to chief officers, could top £200,000.

Ripon MP Julian Smith, who called for Mr Maxwell to resign in the wake of the misconduct row, said: “Most people will find this pay-off shocking, both in terms of its size and the fact it comes after Mr Maxwell admitted gross misconduct.

“I am surprised that the police authority did not make the fact that they had to make this pay-off clearer to North Yorkshire taxpayers earlier.

“That said, it seems to be national rules that have allowed this to happen and these clearly need to change.

I will be raising this issue with ministers.”

The police authority stressed that any chief constable would be entitled to the payment under the same formula and no separate “exit package” for Mr Maxwell was in place.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The conditions regulating the expiry of fixed terms for chief police officers are set down in law.

“Those rules apply to any chief constable and are being applied by the police authority in Mr Maxwell’s case.”

The Home Office said the regulations were being looked at as part of a review of pay and conditions that concludes in January.